Aeroplane-frame construction.



.g4-1H. BLAZE?.

' Asaopmmffnmsse cowsmucnom. Armcmww me@ New. 4a w16.

mente@ Apr. 29, `1919.

www@ l er l Mmmm- E. BLAZER, OF KANSAS GXT'I, il'-SM.

/tppcetion filed November 4,1916. Serial sie, it-9,539

Construction, of which the following is a' speciication.

rlhis invention relates to improvements in the construction of frames for aeroplanes and similar aerial vehicles, and particularly to frame constructions of that kind made in Whole or part of steel tubing.

The primary object of the invention is to cores disposed therein and operative to resist transverse fracture of the tubes' While permitting of a desired range of flexibility thereof. l

rlhe invention consists of the features of wustl-notion, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing in which Figure l is a perspective View of a portion of the frame work of an aeroplane constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a detail section through a portion of the frame ai a point Where several tubes are joined together.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through one of the tubes.

Figs. Lsand 5 are opposite end elevations thereof.

Fig. 6 is a vieu` similar to Fig. showing a modification in the reinforcing" core.

Referring to the drawing, l designates a portion of the frame of an aeroplane, which' is composed in whole or part of steel tubes 2, which tubes may be united at meeting points bj' coupling members 8, in the forni of l..-couplings, "icouplings, or other forms of couplings according to the number and arrangement of the tubes to be joined together. lt will, of course, be understood that the parte may be united by screvv threaded connections, pin or rivet fastenings, Weldin or any other of the modes of connecting stee tubes commonly employed.

Specification of Letters Patent.

ERPLANE-FMME CONSTRUG'EN.

Patented eine. 229, tutti?.

For the purpose of reinforcing` each tube against buckling or fracture under transverse strains, l provide Within the bore of the tube a. core or ller of a suitable lrind which while reinforcing the tube' iirnrly and securely will at the saine time permit it to have a desired range of flexibility. ln the forni of the invention illustrated particularly in Figs. 3, #l and a core e is disposed within the steel frame 2 and comprises a solid rod having et one end a head 5 and at its opposite end a reduced, threaded stein 6. The head 5 fits Witl'iin a counterbore or recess i' intersecting the here of the tube at one end thereof, While the stem 6 projects into a similar counterbore or recess 8 at the op.n posits end of the tube, which counterbore or recess receives a retainingI and clamping nut 9 having an angular head l0 for the reception of'a socket Wrench or other tool whereby the nut may be applied and removed, will be readily understood. The counterbores 7 and 8 enlarge the main bore at the ends of the tube suliiciently to receive the head and nut and permit the same to terminate flush with the ends of the tube, so that the tube may be joined to other tubes in a ready and convenient manner by means of couplings of the character described. lt will,

of course, be understood that the recesses l and 8 may be made as long or deep as desired so as vto dispose the head and nut at any required distances from the ends of the tube to permit such ends to receive the interfitting ends of other tubes, when it is desired to directly connect adj oiuing tubes together. The

head 5 may be provided with recesses 1l to receive projections upon a Spanner Wrench to facilitate the threading and unthreading acj tions in lclamping and releasingr the core.. As shown, the head and nut bear against the shoulders formed by the recesses or counterbores 'i' and 8 and thus firmly clamp the core 4 in position.

The core may be, and preferably is, made of springr steel. so that While said core. the end portions of which closely it Within the.. bore of the tube, and the remainder and ma jor portion thereof lits loosely therein. will .reinforce the tube against breakingf or buckling strains, it will also permit the tube to have-suiiicient flexion or resiliency to absorb shocker nd jars to a determined degree. nl* so, if desired, the tube may be longitudinally tzlpered or recessed, as indicated at 12,

.thus al owing it to bend or flex more freely er te here @i greet/er range of resilient notion te parent transverse riemen of the tube withmitv emilie resistance While reinforcing the -tihe eggs-inet inleiding or fracture.

.in the iiorinof my invention Shown in Fig. 5, li have dieeloseti eeore el. made of :i Steel wire or eehie, which at its ends` in fer rules or sieei'es' upon heed pieces 5 and 6 performing the sume functions :is the head emi Stein portions 5 .and 6 of the core 4. .miei inemhers being united; to the eloie by einer; pins or rivets 12. This cable will il gwe'ampie iexihiiity under eil normal oon- (i tiene o service, but it .may he tapered like core for the purpose described.

Y. 'elaine A. Structural element for aircraft, 0orn ein@ e. metal tuloe having internal :innuehouiders in the opposite ends thereof, a core within end extending throughout the length of Suid tuhe and hnving a head at one end bearing against one of Suid shoulders, and a, nut threaded on the opposite end of said core and befiring against the shoulder at the other end of said tube.

2. A structurel element for aircraft, oomprisingn metal tube having internal annular shoulders in the opposite ends4 thereof, a core Within and extending throughout the length of seid tube und having a` head :it one. end. bearing against one of said shoulders., and a nut threaded. on the oppoSite end or' sniil core und hearing against the shoulder at the other end of said tube, said core being reduced in diameter throughout. the mejor portion of its iength and having a bearing Contact with said tube only adjacent to the end portions thereof.

in testimony whereof nlix my signature.

- EARL H. BLZER. 

